.....Unedited.....

~Zirachi Joy Mark~

Z  I  R  A  C  H  I

Surviving the boring morning assembly afterwards classes was a tormenting experience. Because it seems I'm the new subject of discussion on every student's mouth.

Things got worst when I arrived at the cafeteria, I should have declined when Deja proposed lunch at the cafeteria, instead I reluctantly followed her here and now regret was my case.

I felt a lumpy substance form in my throat threatening it's way out, I swallowed it back and during that process I caught something, or better someone.

His gaze sent chills down my spine, the impassiveness in his eyes glistened like a mirror staring into my soul and his face was one I doubt I could ever forget.

Beside him was the she devil, the reason for my problems. She held his arm and when she noticed his attention diverted, she slowly followed his gaze and her eyes rested on me spitting venoms and hate, at that moment I broke the stare.

"I have a special seat saved at the very end" Deja said, pointing towards the seat. It was hard spotting the table which she kept because the place was so filled up, suddenly someone waved from afar calling I and Deja's attention, she responded by waving back.

"That's Kenneth, he's a friend. Just wait for me I'll get the drinks and snacks. Remind me, meat pie or burger?" She asked,

"Meat pie, please" I replied, and that was all it took for her as she scurried towards the snacks counter.

I walked towards the table which had up to five seats.

"Hi" I greeted, sitting down and trying my best to feel comfortable.

"Oh I'm Kenneth"

"Nice name, I'm Zirachi" I said, fiddling with the hem of my skirt with heads down and not meeting his scrutinizing gaze.

"You sound nervous, why?" He questioned while chuckling, then I noticed his side dimple. I felt the urge to smile because his smile was so contagious like that of Siyoona. And momentarily my lips curved into a smile, I didn't miss his amazed reaction as he burst into laughter.

"What's amusing you Kenneth?" Deja arrived with two trays each containing the same order of meat pie and Sprite.

"And when did you start taking soft drinks?" Kenneth responded with yet another question.

Deja settled down handing me one of the tray as I thanked her, more like muttering a 'thank you'.

"I decided to give it a try, so back to my question what's the reason you were laughing?" Deja pestered further.

Is the reason that necessary?

"Zirachi smiled and damn it felt intriguing like whenever Kambili smiles, that's if she ever did throughout Purple Hibiscus" He said, trying to recall something while I wondered, Who is Kambili ?

"Purple Hibiscus?" Deja responded in a questionable tone. "I can't remember the storyline too, and funnily enough I read that book two years ago."Deja laughed, opening her Sprite and gulping some contents.

Suddenly Kenneth snapped his fingers jolting I and Deja in a surprising manner.

"Yes she did."He said. I wasn't the only shocked person here because Deja's reaction was almost the same as mine.

"Who did what? Can we please just eat" Deja said, munching her meatpie.

"I remember Kambili once smiled when she was with Father Amadi on the football field, he was her crush" Kenneth explained, snatching Deja's second meatpie in an attempt to cut from it but she held his hand.

"Not today boy. The counter service is available same as the serving counter so you're free to go there and serve yourself instead of stealing my yummy meatpie"She grumbled, taking the meat pie from his hand.

"Deja naww, okay just for today. Adejare" He whined. She smiled shaking her head disapprovingly.

"Calling my full name is not going to work on me. That your charm died long ago" She said smiling.

Their friendship was awesome and to say I'm not jealous would be a big lie, I and Grace's friendship was once like this with silly fights and sharing of food but recently she distanced herself.

I felt like the third party, these two were already familiar with themselves and me being her was just weird.

Lifting my head up in an attempt to open my drink, I received the questioning stare obvious in the eyes of every member in the room, even Deja and Kenneth.

One thing I didn't miss was their phones,everyone staring had his or her phone held in the hand and that was enough to clarify the reason for their stares.

Noooooooo

Not again!!! This can't happen! AGAIN!

"What did you do?" Deja questioned, the slight tremble in her voice was too sharp and it broke every fiber of strength in me.

"ZIRACHI! PAUPER!"

She yelled, the cafeteria was pin drop silent. The only sound next was from her shoes as she sashayed, anger seething from her steps.

Rage.

Anger.

Hate.

All that and more filled her eyes, a boy tried to stop her by holding her forearm but she yanked his grip away.

"Get your filthy hands off me Midas!" She roared. The ear splitting impact I received on both cheeks prompted the glassiness in my eyes, tears came in torrents as I used my hands in feeling both cheeks.

"How dare you!" She said.

"I did....n't do any....th.....in..g" I barely stuttered.

"YOU!" Slap.

"ARE!" Slap.

"MAD!" Slap.

Both cheeks were in a heated mess as I was taken unaware, I felt helpless and my only resolute was to cry. My vision was blurry but I didn't miss the phones up and they were obviously recording.

"That's enough," Siyonna interrupted, rushing over to my side but I was beyond shocked when Idia pushed her, gravity took place as Siyoona fell on her butt. Gibson stood up immediately to help Siyoona.

I didn't even take note that they were in the cafeteria , by they, I mean Damicute and his group of friends.

"Idia."All attention was now focused on the guy, Idia held his arm some minutes ago, Jared. That's him.

He strode towards Idia, his next action earned gasps from every corner of the cafeteria. He used both hands in holding her shoulders, and next he vigorously hit her, not hard to cause any pain but instead.....

"Snap out of it!" He said, slowly his hands left her shoulder.

I was calculating the next way to leave this Cafeteria before Idia regains composture, she stood rooted on the spot and that was my chance to leave and maybe cry my eyes out.

But, No.

Plans changed, his outstretched hands and his eyes, for a second I thought was silently begging earnestly for me to receive his hand.

I lost my sense of reasoning at that moment.

The courage I felt that instant to receive his hand, was one I had never felt in my whole life. Dragging me out of the cafeteria I wasn't a bit reluctant but instead followed him.

Let my downfall begin.........

_______________________

Hmmmmm. Your thoughts on this chapter 🤧

Zirachi and Jared????

Idia? Is she okay 🤦🏼‍♀️

The 'Kambili' mentioned earlier is from a book titled Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

And this chapter is unedited so I apologise for the errors. 🙏

Thanks From....
Vahnyy✨❤️🌹...........